Third-round competition in Miami begins with the bottom half of the draw, which is relatively open now that Carlos Alcaraz is out. Sunday’s schedule includes Lorenzo Musetti vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Grigor Dimitrov vs. Karen Khachanov.
(15) Lorenzo Musetti vs. (18) Felix Auger-Aliassime
It will be a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics bronze-medal match when Musetti and Auger-Aliassime meet again at the Miami Open on Sunday. Musetti got on the podium with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory to even their head-to-head series at 3-3. This marks their first-ever showdown on an outdoor hard court, having previously squared off twice indoors and four times on clay.
Musetti was outstanding last season, headlined by his bronze medal and a semifinal run at Wimbledon. A calf injury was a minor problem at the start of 2025, but the 16th-ranked Italian played two solid matches in Indian Wells (beat Roman Safiullin in three sets, lost to Arthur Fils in three) and took down an in-form Quentin Halys 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-5 on Friday in Miami. Auger-Aliassime, who beat Tristan Schoolkate 6-4, 6-4, was on fire earlier this year but got blown out by Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-2 in his first match at the Indian Wells Masters. The 19th-ranked Canadian is the bigger hitter but he remains wildly inconsistent, and an opponent who has more variety like Musetti may be able to take advantage.
Pick: Musetti in 3
(14) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (22) Karen Khachanov
Dimitrov is defending runner-up points in Miami after losing to Jannik Sinner in the 2024 final. The 15th-ranked Bulgarian probably figured he would have to beat Carlos Alcaraz just to reach the quarterfinals this year, but that is no longer the case after Alcaraz fell to David Goffin on Friday night. Dimitrov eased past Federico Cina 6-1, 6-4 on Friday and now could be aligned to make another deep run in the 305.
Up next for the 33-year-old on Sunday is a sixth meeting with Khachanov, who trails the head-to-head series 4-1. The 23rd-ranked Russian won their most recent contest last fall in Paris, but Dimitrov was struggling physically at the time and that is one of Khachanov’s favorite tournaments. Dimitrov won their only previous outdoor encounter in straight sets at the 2023 Shanghai Masters. Khachanov took care of Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3), 6-0 in his Miami opener, but he is still just 5-6 this season and Dimitrov is obviously a much tougher opponent at this point in time.
Pick: Dimitrov in 3
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Fritz Sonego should be a good one. Sonego might get the upset.
Let’s see if Zverev can correct the ship. Might get some inspiration from Alxaraz’s loss.
From memory, Tiafoe got upset early here last year when he wanted to finish strong before the clay season. Davidovuch might face a bit of resistance.
It’s very sad that you gave to wait 2 hours for your posts to show up on this site. Post in the morning check at night to read the discussion.
Munar in 3
On current form, I think Munar might have a chance.
bold
Mensik winning 2 was bold, Goffin was bold, Tiafoe 2-0 was bold, Bergs was bold, Munar 2-0 was bold also